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2019 Brisbane Truck Show

24 May 2019

The CMV Truck and Bus team were excited to have the opportunity to join many of our industry peers and heavy vehicle enthusiasts at this year’s Brisbane Truck Show. With more than 300 exhibitors spread across three levels of the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, the bi-annual Brisbane Truck Show is the largest heavy vehicle truck event in the Southern Hemisphere and certainly one of our favourite events.

A record 36,921 people attend this year’s Show, all to experience the latest in trucking technology and be the first to see special new and soon to be released models. We were extremely impressed by all of the exhibits and it was fantastic to have the opportunity to learn more about the exciting models and technology which are to come from Mack, Volvo and UD Trucks.

“This year’s event was certainly special. It was fantastic to see the fabulous effort all the exhibitors went to showcase their exciting products and the large number of activities and activations across the city,” said Miles Crawford, CMV Truck & Bus general manager. “We were thrilled to see record numbers attend this year’s event and the diversity of the attendees including people from the industry, tourists, school groups and members of the public.” Said Miles.

This year, the Brisbane Truck Show highlighted several theme initiatives; innovation, safety, sustainability and community, which extended right through to road safety, technology, design, engineering and advanced manufacturing. Our team took the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Volvo Group’s exciting exhibit and learn as much as they could about the models which will be arriving in the future.

Ross Greig, CMV Truck & Bus Derrimut Mack sales manager said, “it was a great opportunity for CMV Truck & Bus team to see the latest concept of the Mack Super-Liner and Mack Anthem.” The new concept Mack Anthem challenges the expectations of aerodynamic design and includes tough engineering that dramatically improves efficiency. “We loved having the chance to walk-through the concept of the Mack Anthem – we are very excited to see this truck come to the Australian market.” Ross said.

Prior to the Brisbane Truck Show, Volvo revealed the all-new FH XXL cab which has been designed with a focus on world-class driver comfort. “After five years, the XXL Cab is the biggest and most exciting transformation within the Volvo product portfolio.” Said Rohan Cook, CMV Truck & Bus Clayton general manager. “It is great to see that Volvo have listened closely to the feedback from our customers and bring this project to reality. Not only have they brought this concept to life, but they have delivered beyond expectation to give drivers bigger bed space, additional storage and space to improve the drivers work and living conditions.” Says Rohan.

The launch of the new 8-litre UD Quon at the Show revealed its greater load efficiency while delivering the same great features and ultimate dependability as the 11-litre. The new 8-litre Quon features a GH 8 engine, which is 300 kilograms lighter than the original 11-litre models. Anthony Russell, CMV Truck & Bus Dandenong general manager said, “The Brisbane Truck Show was a great showcase of the all new 8L, 360 horse power UD Quon - the only Japanese truck with EBS disc brakes, crash mitigation and stability control.” Thanks to the 8L Quon’s UD Trucks standard tyre monitoring system, there will be no need for truck drivers to check their tyres. Also new to the UD Trucks stands this year, was the all-new medium-duty truck – UD Croner. “It was great to see a sneak preview of the new medium duty Croner and we look forward to seeing the Croner joining our UD Truck portfolio soon.”

The CMV Truck & Bus team are really looking forward to having many of these new and exciting models arrive at the dealership and we can’t wait to have the opportunity to showcase their innovative designs and futuristic technology to you.

Photo credit: Gavin Blue Photography

Article

Burdett's Plans to Expand with CMV Truck & Bus

20 Sep 2018

Since our partnership with Burdett’s began in 2011, CMV Truck & Bus have been proud to assist them in becoming one of the biggest suppliers of landscaping products in the Southern Hemisphere.

Operating from their Langwarrin depot where they have a retail yard, wholesale yard plus three quarry locations, they rely on Mack and UD trucks purchased from CMV Truck & Bus to deliver day in and day out to their customers.

With a transport group of 75 vehicles, Burdett’s choose to use a range of UD models including MK and BK tippers due to their Volvo technology and their reliability to ensure they can keep their customer’s deliveries on time and offer a reliable service. As well as UD, Burdett’s include Mack models such as Metroliners and Superliners as they have the right truck for the right application which gives them the ability to service their customers with reliability.

Through our partnership, Burdett’s are given the ability to not only purchase the right truck for the right job, we have a tailored service maintenance contract package which works around their busy delivery and transport schedule to keep their trucks on the road and keep their customers happy.

CMV Truck & Bus are proud to be a part of their 2018 vision statement “the expand or to expire” and we know they will expand to even greater heights with their focus on quality equipment to ensure their customers’ needs are always met.

Article

Introducing The All New Generation Quon

04 Dec 2017

The All New Quon has been launched by UD Trucks Australia​, representing innovation in five areas – drivability, fuel efficiency, safety, productivity and uptime – to better meet today’s business needs. Innovation that puts people first. It is the next generation truck for the age of smart logistics. Watch the journey here.

Article

UD Trucks Bolt Down Free Service Deal

01 May 2017

Now here's a UD Trucks deal you can’t refuse!

Purchase any Quon, Condor PD 24 280 or Condor 24 280 between 1 May and 30 June 2017 and we will give you 2 years of free servicing* at any of our CMV Truck and Bus dealerships.

The New Condor PW 24 280 6x4

The New Condor PW 24 280 6x4 has just been released by UD Trucks Australia. Engineered to suit Australian Waste, Construction or General Freight industry requirements, the PW 24 280 won't disappoint.

The driveline combines the GH7 280hp 6 cylinder engine with the latest in Allison Automatic Transmission technology, the 6 speed electronically controlled 3500 Series and a choice of durable 6 Rod leaf suspension or Hendrickson Airbag Suspension with road-friendly certification, your business will know no bounds.

Complementing the ergonomic cab design are a number of standard features, including the SRS airbag, air-suspension driver seats and latest in-dash multimedia unit with standard GPS Voice activated control bluetooth and integrated Fleetmax Plus telematics system.

UD Trucks are famous for their reliability and efficiency, and now the PW 24 280 claims the lightest tare weight in the 6x4 category of Japanese trucks, which means this truck can get more into every load, maximising payload and profit margins.

As a special introductory offer, a 0.99%* finance rate will apply for the first 12 months of ownership (T&Cs apply).

*Available at participating UD Trucks dealerships to approved Business Applicants of UD Trucks Financial Services** for new UD Truck PW Condor stock vehicles on a hire purchase or chattel mortgage, with a minimum 10% deposit then: (i) 0.99% p.a. for the first 12 months followed by 2.99% p.a for the remaining 24 months over a total 36 month term; or (ii) 0.99% p.a. for the first 12 months followed by 3.99% p.a for the remaining 36 months over a total 48 month term; or (iii) 0.99% p.a. for the first 12 months followed by 4.99% p.a. for the remaining 48 months over a total 60 month, with no final balloon payments. Vehicles must be ordered between 7 November 2017 and 31 March 2017. While stocks last. Offer ends 31 March 2017. Standard fees and charges apply. Full conditions are available on application. Not available with other offers or to fleet or government buyers. UD Trucks Financial Services** reserves the right to extend or change this offer. UD Trucks Financial Services** is a trading name of Volvo Finance Australia Pty Ltd.

Article

7 Tips For Keeping Your Cab Clean

04 Nov 2016

A clean truck is a safe truck. Read these seven simple tips below to keep your cab clean and clutter-free

Throw it away. Only bring in what you really need, and don’t let rubbish pile up on the floor or the dash. Have a garbage bag easily accessible instead and empty it regularly to stop odours taking over your truck.

Vacuum it up. Every cab needs a vacuum. It’s the fastest way to suck up anything and everything and it’s great at lifting dust out of tight corners and seat cushions.

Wipe it away. Baby on board! Having a pack of baby wipes handy (or a common disinfectant) is the secret to keeping your cab’s surfaces clean. A quick wipe will remove dust or soak up a spill in a few seconds. Watch out for cleaners or polishes that produce a gloss or shiny finish, as that can interfere with driving, and shouldn’t be used on the dash.

Sponge it off. It’s only normal that upholstery and carpets end up with a few stains here and there. Warm soapy water or upholstery cleaner will usually do the trick. It’s a good idea to do a quick spot test first on an unseen corner of your seat upholstery, to check the cleaner won’t damage or discolour your fabric. Apply the cleaner evenly across the stain then sponge the area clean with warm soapy water or according to the instructions on the product. Giving your cab a good airing after cleaning with water also avoids any musty, damp smells building up.

Out of sight, out of mind. Less is more on long trips. Keeping your cab free of unnecessary elements means you’re not continually distracted by visual clutter. Find your cab’s spaces and compartments to tuck away your belongings. A cab organiser can also be a great investment to help you keep on top of your interior.

The key to clean. Your keys go everywhere with you, and they can pick up a lot of germs along the way. Give your keys a quick wipe or spray with disinfectant every now and then to help get rid of any bacteria you may have collected.

(article courtesy of UD Trucks Australia)

Article

Dependability Is In Our DNA

05 Sep 2016

PROFESSIONAL, PASSIONATE AND DEPENDABLE. IT’S THE ETHOS OF THE UD TEAM TO ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVES AND PROVIDE A SOLUTION. IT’S THE GEMBA SPIRIT, AND IT’S BEEN A DRIVING FORCE FOR SERVICE SINCE UD WAS FOUNDED OVER 80 YEARS AGO.

Like UD’s Japanese roots, ‘gemba’ too is a Japanese word that describes where action takes place and value is created, from the factory floor to dealerships and customer facilities. Wherever it is, gemba is a place to listen and understand, and to seek out opportunities for improvement. Ultimately, it is to create better value for UD customers.

Kazuhito Hosono is the Chief Project Manager for UD Trucks at their headquarters in Ageo, Japan. He has spent his entire career with UD, and in his opinion, the ultimate gemba is always at the customer’s site. “It is important to listen to customers’ voices directly,” Hosono explains. “Their voice is key to keeping us motivated and to helping us improve, so that we provide them with trucks that are fully satisfactory.”

The gemba spirit also drives solutions that respond to the location, particularly in the Australian bush, where the heat during the day can be overwhelming for both drivers and the trucks.

“UD Trucks cope very well with the Australian heat, they don’t overheat. Some of our other trucks are good at night, but in the daytime they have difficulties keeping the engines cool. UD trucks are very well adapted to our climate,” says Brad Chimes, a UD Trucks customer from Darwin.

And that sums up the gemba philosophy; always remain close to customers and their specific needs to deliver the trucks they really want.

To find out how we can help you get the trucks and maintenance you need, chat to your local CMV Truck & Bus dealer.

(article courtesy of UD Trucks Australia)

Article

UD Trucks Workshop Manager and Genuine Parts Special

01 Jul 2016

Article

UD Trucks Free Service Smile

01 Apr 2016

12 Months Free Servicing. Order any new Quon or PD 24 280 and you will receive our UD Trucks Trust Standard Service Agreement - the only service solution that truly meets all the technical maintenance requirements of your heavy duty truck, ensuring ultimate performance for 12 months, 3,000 hours or 120,000kms – whichever occurs first.

Family Ties

19 Feb 2016

The UD brand has come a long way since it became a member of the Volvo Group. While UD Trucks has always had a loyal following in Australia, in recent years it would seem the brand has had a boost in terms of technology, performance and, just as importantly, image.

The competition in the medium-duty market has always been hard fought between the three main contenders, all of which are Japanese brands. With this in mind, Volvo Group has done a great job of integrating the UD Trucks brand into the family and bringing it up to date without losing any of the attributes that had made UD so popular in the past.

While the UD range is still fairly limited in Australia, the trucks it does have available will meet the needs of the vast majority of local operators very nicely. What’s more, they are not the basic trucks they used to be, and offer all the driver comfort and technology that you might not expect for the realistic price tag.

The UD MK11 Condor is one of the feature-packed models that would seem to offer great value to those in the 11-tonne GVM market. Powered by a 7.0-litre, in line six that comes in 250 hp (180 kW) and 280 hp (206 kW) options, delivering 716 Nm (528 lb-ft) and 883 Nm (651 lb-ft) of torque respectively, plenty of power for that specific GVM. Transmission options on the MK 11 250 include six-speed manual or five-speed Allison automatic transmissions, however the MK 11 280 only comes in manual. The MK is also available with a choice of leaf spring or air bag suspension on the rear, making it one of the few trucks in its segment available to offer both an automatic transmission and air suspension as factory fitment.

Inside the cab, the work environment is modern and comfortable. The driver gets an air-suspended seat with adjustable shock absorber, and a tilt and telescopic adjustable steering column. The standard audio system is a 6.1-inch touchscreen unit with CD, USB and SD inputs, digital radio and in-built NAVTEQ truck specific GPS. There is also capability to add up to four external cameras, including an IR night vision option. Electric windows and heated power-operated mirrors are also fitted to make life easier on the driver. More importantly, the safety features include a driver’s airbag, seat belt pre-tensioner and ABS braking as standard.

To see what the MK really offered in terms of practicality, I jumped aboard one for a short drive around Melbourne. The MK11 250 I drove was fitted with the Allison five-speed automatic transmission and had four full IBC tanks inside the 10-pallet tautliner body. Following a short walk-around and product familiarisation from UD’s product expert, Paul Munro, it was out onto the streets.

Given that the MK is designed with local deliveries in mind, it was decided to take a route that took in freeway, main road and residential street conditions. The eventual route also included a small carpark – a true test of any trucks manoeuvrability.

With 4000 litres of liquid on board, the smoothness of the Allison automatic was immediately obvious. The steps between gears were seamless and provided smooth, constant acceleration while keeping the engine in its most efficient rev range. Engine noise levels were very low inside the cab, and vision was excellent, with the low-set dash and large windscreen providing a clear view ahead, while the large mirrors gave a good display of things behind. The seat did a good job of ironing out the bumps, without any excessive rebound or bottoming out. The trick is to be honest when you adjust the weight scale on the seat, and don’t shave off those extra kilos you forgot to mention on your Facebook profile.

With the auto box doing its thing, it was easy to concentrate on the road ahead. The MK proved itself to very nimble in the residential streets, and managed the small carpark without any issues. On the freeway, the handling was very good, even with all that liquid sloshing around in the back. The low chassis and floor height no doubt contributed to the great handling, and would surely be welcome for those deliveries that were done by hand or required a driver to climb into the load area.

One thing that did surprise me about the MK was the engine braking. Older UDs would seem to speed up when the exhaust brake was activated, and an old hanky out the window would probably have been more effective. Not with this truck though. While the MK still uses a simple exhaust brake, the transmission works to keep the engine rpm in the most effective zone, and, even at the max GVM, it works remarkably well.

Following on from my drive in the MK, I visited an operator who has recently made the switch from another Japanese brand and purchased two MK11 250s with factory-fitted tipper bodies. They also have four more on order to be fitted with mini-mix agitators.

As Jeff Moloney, operations manager at Midway Mini-Mix Concrete, Garden and Building Supplies of Sunshine in Melbourne, explained, “We were having a bit of drama with our other supplier, and CMV Laverton, the local UD dealer, fronted up with good service, a decent truck, and obviously it comes down to price too”. Having taken the gamble on the first two units, Midway is now looking at replacing all the trucks in their agitator and tipper fleet with UD trucks.

“The UDs are quite a good truck,” Jeff said. “The engines are good, the autos are good, and every bloke that’s driven the tippers loves them. It’s good, they want to drive them,” he continued. “They are both getting about 4.2 km/l including idle time. We look at them all across the board, and our others are getting around 3.0-3.5 km/l”.

He says that the UD telematics programme, Fleet Max Plus, has been a real eye-opener, and allowed them to use the information in a productive way. “We show the telematics reports to the drivers, so they’ve got an incentive to look at what they’re doing. We were surprised at the difference in idling times, and how much fuel you go through. We will talk about swapping our whole system to the UD telematics, because it does the whole lot, including GPS,” he added. So it seems that the Condor MK offers more than just a cost effective and well-equipped platform for the local market. The driver-friendly work environment, standard telematics system and reduced operating costs work hand-in-hand to provide a great package for operators, whether they operate one truck or forty.